You’ve probably seen cracks start to appear in the winter and then begin to disappear in the summer. This is called shrinkage and expansion. This is to be completely expected. As the seasons change so will your floors. It’s important to know that this is not a sign that there is an issue with your flooring.
In fact, properly fitted and prepared timber flooring will still exhibit seasonal cracking. There are, however, a number of variables that will affect how big and how severe the gap is. In this article, we will cover two key points to help prevent severe shrinkage and expansion of your hardwood floors.
Evaluate your humidity levels
Shrinkage and expansion are caused because of moisture change which typically happens when the seasons change. However, there are ways to balance out the moisture in your building and help reduce cracking in your flooring. Once you are aware of the humidity levels, you can take the appropriate action. Whether that be a dehumidifier or a humidifier. Each one does the opposite of the other and either adds or removes moisture, these are the best way to combat humidity levels.
An extremely common cause of gaps in your floorboards due to over drying is log burners and fireplaces. Due to their heat, they can absorb all the moisture in your building. This means your floors can dry out significantly. As the weather gets colder, the need to heat your property becomes more important, so using a humidifier will balance out the humidity levels.
Hire a trusted contractor
If you’re yet to have hardwood floors installed, this point is important. The contractor you hire and the professionals who install your flooring ultimately dictate how well your floors will respond to weather changes.
Your floors will most likely always experience some level of shrinkage and expansion. However, how they are installed will directly correlate to how they respond to moisture changes. For example, if installed in the winter and the correct width between each board isn’t correctly calculated, you can run into some serious issues down the line.
As we know, floors shrink in the cold and expand in the warmth, so if installed at a colder temperature without considering expansion when measuring the width between boards you will most likely experience peaking. Likewise, if your floorboards are installed in the summer when the humidity levels are higher and the proper calculations haven’t been made, you could be left with large gaps between each board.
Our extensive experience at Mayfield Floors is what makes us experts in what with do. We have grown to become a large and reputable company thanks largely to a commitment to offering products and a level of service that sets our business apart. Contact our team today for more information.
